PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Department of Health (DOH) began monitoring the implementation of its Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP) program in hospitals and health facilities in Mimaropa, starting with the province of Oriental Mindoro on Monday.
“We need to assure the effective implementation, utilization, and disbursement of funds in all authorized health facilities, including private health facilities that are under memorandums of agreement (MOA) with the regional office and ensure that these are properly utilized in accordance with MAIP implementing rules and guidelines,” DOH 4-B (Mimaropa) Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said.
This is also to ensure that MAIP funds are available in these facilities, and are being used for hospitalization expenses, Janairo said.
Among the health facilities visited by the MAIP monitoring team were the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital, Oriental Mindoro Central District Hospital, Oriental Mindoro Southern District Hospital, Ma. Estrella General Hospital, Bulalacao Provincial Hospital, Renato Umali Reyes Hospital of Bongabong, and Bulalacao Community Hospital.
Special Provision No.7 of Republic Act No.10964, known as the General Appropriations Act of 2018, allocated funds to DOH for its “assistance to indigent patients” for hospitalization.
The DOH manages the funds through the Public Assistance Unit, which implements the MAIP.
From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 last year, DOH-Mimaropa MAIP has served a total of 22,216 patients, 11,729 of whom were from Palawan; 6,495 from Oriental Mindoro; 3,096 from Occidental Mindoro; 439 from Marinduque; and 457 from Romblon, with a total amount of PHP56,081,965 used.
Janairo said the regional office continues to bring patients who need more specialized care to Manila and are given accommodation at the regional office while awaiting their scheduled treatment.
All their basic needs are met during their stay, including a standby 24/7 transportation to bring them to and from the hospital. (PNA)
